Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Balblair
£86
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
The Antiquary
★ 5.00
£85
| Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) | The Antiquary 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | The Antiquary |
| Region | Highland | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 58.2% | 43% |
| Age | 12 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £85.5 | £84.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £86.
For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£85.5 vs £84.9)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£84.9 vs £85.5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy The?
The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.
Tasting notes
Only Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old